Maple Leaf Games, Senators, Raptors to have full capacity for home games

TORONTO — Ontario’s leading professional indoor sports teams have given the go-ahead to accommodate entire crowds. The Toronto Maple Leaf Games and the Ottawa Senators of the NHL and the Toronto Raptors of the NBA will be able to play in front of the arenas full of fans later this month. Canadian Sports Secretary Lisa MacLeod announced Friday.

Indoor capacity limits will post in arenas starting Saturday at 12:01 PM. “During the process of reopening our venues to fans, including working closely with the county over many months, health and safety have been our shared top priority. We are excited to see the day coming when we can host a full venue to the Maple Leafs and Raptors,” Michael Friisdahl, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said in a statement.

“Today… is an exciting day for our teams, fans, and community and we look forward to a safe and enjoyable season.” Concert halls, theaters, and cinemas are part of other facilities that will see their capacity increase. Proof of vaccination is required to participate. The decision to allow full capacity was widely anticipated after Ontario increased the capacity of the indoor venues to 50 percent or 10,000 fans, whichever is lower.

As the change goes into effect on Saturday, an MLSE spokesperson said the Leafs’ season opener against the visiting Montreal Canadiens would be the first full house at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. The Raptors open their season on October 20 against the visiting Washington Wizards. The Ottawa Senators host Toronto in their home opener next Thursday.

We are very pleased with today’s announcement,” said Senator and Governor Eugene Melnyk.

“On behalf of the organization, I would like to thank the many government officials with whom we have worked closely, including Prime Minister Doug Ford, to make this possible, while assuring our fans that we will remain cautious and take all preventive measures to ensure the collective safety of individuals in our building New rules make the Vancouver Canucks the only NHL team without a full crowd. COVID19 protocols in British Columbia still limit crowds to “inside” at 50 percent of their capacity.